The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that further investigation has linked the Topps E. coli O157:H7 food poisoning outbreak to Canadian beef supplier Ranchers Beef, Ltd.
Topps recalled more than 21 million pounds of ground beef in September, after their product was linked to an ongoing E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. The outbreak sickened at least 40 people in the U.S., resulting in 21 known hospitalizations. Ranchers Beef, Ltd., supplied the beef trim to Topps.
According to the FSIS press release, PFGE patterns (DNA fingerprints) of E. coli isolated from the Canadian beef trim matched the PFGE patterns of E. coli isolated from ill U.S. patients and E. coli isolated from Topps beef products. PFGE patterns also linked the 45 illnesses and one death reported in Canada to Ranchers Beef, Ltd.
Ranchers Beef ceased operation on August 15, 2007. FSIS delisted Ranchers Beef, Ltd., on October 20, meaning the company's products have not been eligible for import since that date.
To learn more about E. coli food poisoning, please see About E. coli and Symptoms of E. coli Food Poisoning.
The Law Firm of Eric Weinberg currently represents victims of food poisoning outbreaks throughout the country. If you or a loved one has been harmed by E. coli food poisoning, and you have a question regarding you legal rights, please fill out a Free Case Evaluation, or call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274. Please see E. coli Lawyer on this website to learn more about our firm's work on food poisoning.
To learn more about recent food poisoning outbreaks and food recalls, please see E. coli Blue Ribbon Recall, Salmonella Banquet Pot Pie Recall, and Listeria Seafood Dip Recall.
